Neck flap cover with integrated pocket constructed as an appendage for a hat with a headband

ABSTRACT

A neck flap cover with integrated pocket constructed for appending to hats with a headband. A hat with a headband constructed with a neck flap cover and integrated pocket strategically affixed to the rear portion of the headband of a hat. The flap cover includes a pocket designed for retaining a flat article of wearers&#39; choice. The flap cover includes a support layer of fabric, of one or more layers, an intermediate layer of fabric, and a pocket layer of fabric. The flap cover declines from the centralized rear portion of the headband, traverses between the ears of a wearer, descends the neck longitudinally and is designed to fall above the collar bone of the wearer.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/077,337 filed Nov. 10, 2014 and from U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 14/935,832 filed Nov. 9, 2015 which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The teachings presented generally relate to a neck flap cover with integrated pocket constructed for appending to hats with a headband. The present teachings further relate to a hat with a headband constructed with a neck flap cover and integrated pocket appended to the rear portion of the headband of a hat.

BACKGROUND

Head and neck coverings are generally known. Head and neck coverings may be used for protection against the weather. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,161,259 and 4,980,928 incorporated by reference herein. Other head and neck coverings are contrived for attaching a cooling device pouch. Examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,481,021; 6,857,134 and 5,649,327 incorporated by reference herein. However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: requires adjustment of multiple straps, extends to the shoulders or below to upper back thereby restricting movement, complicated fabrications, does not allow the option of keeping the ears uncovered, and lacks aesthetic appeal.

Thus, there is a need for an article which protects the neck area against environmental factors, such as varying weather events, or from other external agents, but additionally provides the wearer a compartment to cache a personal flat item and that is also aesthetically pleasing. There is a need for an article which protects the neck area without restricting movement of the wearer. There is a need for an article which protects the neck area while allowing the user the choice of keeping the ears uncovered. There is also a need for an article which can provide the neck area additional benefits, such as optional insertion of flat item like a digital device, warmth or coolness packs and also offers a visible area on the article for embellishment purposes. The present teachings address one or more of the above needs.

SUMMARY

The object of the teachings presented contemplate an article of a time-saving flap cover for protection of a hat wearers' neck created as an appendage to a hat with a headband, such as a baseball hat or adaptive to other headwear with a headband. The neck, also known as the cervical spine, is one of the most highly innervated and critical areas of the human body and therefore one of the most sensitive and vulnerable as well. The need for a cloak defending this region is essential and can be accomplished by the following of a hat appended with a pocketed flap cover. The term hat also includes hats without a crown, such as visors and includes hats with an adjustable fitting headband. The term headband includes the terms hatband and sweatband. The flap cover is preferably comprised of three layers of fabric. By seaming all sides of two layers of the fabric and only three sides of the third layer of fabric, a pocket is integrated for retaining a flat item. The pocketed flap cover may be constructed and attached during hat assembly or prefabricated and appended to a hat with a headband and crown during or after manufacture. The flap cover declines from a centralized rear portion of the headband, traverses between the ears of a wearer, descends the neck longitudinally and falls only to above the collar bone of the wearer. The flap cover includes a support layer of one or more layers, an intermediate layer of one or more layers and a pocket layer of the one or more layers. The interior side of a layer is the side facing the user. The exterior side of a layer is the side facing away from the user. A support layer of fabric is seamed to an exterior side of an intermediate layer of fabric. The pocket layer of fabric is formed by being fully seamed on one side to an interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric and then only three sides to integrate a pocket to lay adjacent to the neck of a wearer. The pocket is available for retaining a flat item, such as a digital device or a cool or warm pack.

The present teachings also consider an article comprised of a hat with a headband and a flap cover affixed strategically to a rear portion of the headband. The flap cover declines from the centralized rear portion of the headband, traverses between the ears of a wearer and descends the neck longitudinally, and is designed to fall above the collar bone of the wearer.

At least one layer of fabric may include a thin insulating material. At least one layer of fabric may include a moisture repelling material. At least one layer of fabric may include an augmented material for self-protection purposes including para-aramid material, fire-resistant material or insect repelling material. The pocket layer of fabric may be stretchable to accommodate a flat article. The exterior side of the support layer includes an area for embellishment.

The pocket includes a pocket opening. The preferred embodiment of the pocket opening is along a top edge of the pocket layer. An alternative embodiment finds the pocket opening along a side edge of the pocket layer. An embodiment of the pocket includes a pocket closure edged in elastic for personal item retention.

The flap cover is designed for simple, complete concealment into an underside of the hat with a crown, such as a baseball hat. During concealment, a layer of the pocketed flap cover may be adjacent to the head of a wearer. The flap cover can be permanently fastened or detachably affixed to the centralized rear portion of the hatband of the hat.

The flap cover provides protection of the neck area against factors such as weather while showing a pleasing smooth silhouette. The flap cover provides protection of the neck area without restricting movement of the wearer and allows ears to be uncovered. Additional benefits are a pocket for a wearers' personal flat item and an area for embellishment purposes.

The present teachings promote and may result in well-being, health and economic benefits. The present teachings encourage regular outdoor use with the neck flap cover acting as proactive self-defense against skin damage/cancer. The present teachings serve as a barrier to environmental factors such as moisture (rain/snow) or sun. The present teachings provide added comfort with the utilization of a personal-sized temperature packet in the flap cover pocket or for other personal item. The present teachings also provide a level of protection for individuals, such as emergency or security personnel whose hat is part of the uniform, with the use of augmented materials, such as para-aramids. The present teachings allow the flap cover to be fully concealed into the hat when the pocket is empty and the flap cover is no longer needed.

The teachings also present the ease of use to utilize the pocket and to conceal the cover flap.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective of one embodiment of a hat with a brim and a flap cover;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a hat including a headband and a flap cover with the pocket;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap cover and a support layer attached to a headband;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap cover and the intermediate layer;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view across a frontal plane of one embodiment of a hat including a flap cover and the pocket layer;

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged view of preferred embodiment of the neck flap cover;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of alternative embodiment of a hat including a hatband and neck flap cover with a pocket;

FIG. 8 illustrates a profile view of alternative embodiment of a pocketed flap cover.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plane view of neck flap cover including the exterior layer of fabric folded into hat; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a hat with neck flap cover folded and concealed in hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles and its practical application. The specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

The present teachings provide for a neck flap cover including a pocket which is designed to be attached to a hat having a hatband. The flap cover 100 includes a support layer 110 of fabric, an intermediate layer 120 of fabric, and a pocket layer 130 of fabric. The flap cover includes a pocket designed for retaining a flat article, such as a wearers' temperature packet for warmth or coolness or digital device.

As seen in FIG. 1, the teachings presented further provide when attached to the hat, the flap cover declines from the designated rear portion of the hatband, traversing between the ears of a wearer and extending towards and designed to fall above the wearers' collar bone, as discussed herein.

The hat 50 may be any type of hat that includes a hatband 60 to which the neck flap cover 100 can be affixed. The hat may or may not cover the top of the head. The term hat as used herein includes caps. The hat may be the preferred embodiment of a baseball-type hat, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 10 including a crown 70 and a peak 80. The hat may also be a sports visor as an example of the many diverse hats that have a hatband 60 to which the flap cover 100 can be affixed.

The flap cover 100 includes at least one layer of fabric 105. The flap cover is comprised of a support layer 110 of fabric, an intermediate layer 120 of fabric and a pocket layer 130 of fabric, as seen in FIG. 6.

The flap cover, of FIG. 3, includes at least one support layer 110 of fabric. The support layer of fabric is firmly connected to the intermediate layer 120 of FIG. 4 along the sides, top and bottom. The support layer of fabric provides structural integrity for the other layers. For example, the support layer of fabric maybe comprised of a polyester blend.

The exterior portion of the flap as seen in the rear perspective of FIG. 1, that is visible to others, includes an area for embellishment 107. The embellished area of the flap 107 can be used as a platform for a diverse number of embellishments. For example, team logos, company sponsorships, position titles, and/or names can be placed on the exterior portion 107 of the flap cover. The method of embellishment may include being embroidered, printed, silk screened or an appended patch on the exterior portion of the flap cover 107.

The flap cover of FIG. 4 includes at least one intermediate layer 120 of fabric. The intermediate layer of fabric is firmly connected by stitching or other means on all sides 200(a), to the support layer of fabric 110 thereby providing a low profile against the wearer's neck. The intermediate layer of fabric is connected to the support layer 110 of fabric along the sides, top and bottom seen in FIG. 6, 200(a). The exterior side of the intermediate layer of fabric 120 faces the interior side 122 of the support layer of fabric 110. The interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric 120 faces the exterior side of the pocket layer 130 of fabric.

The intermediate layer 120 of fabric may provide comfort to the wearer. For example, the exterior side of the intermediate layer 120 may be situated against the interior side of the support layer 110, thereby serving as a barrier between any friction and discomfort from the support layer 110 or any embellishment located on the support layer. The use of an intermediate layer of fabric 120 may allow softer fabric or a moisture wicking fabric to be positioned against the wearer's head and neck. The intermediate layer of fabric 120 is used for affixation of the pocket layer 130. For example, the intermediate layer of fabric 120 may be comprised of spandex/elastane (a polyester-polyurethane copolymer) or any other synthetic stretchable fabric.

The flap cover 100 includes one pocket layer 130 of fabric, seen on FIG. 5. The pocket layer of fabric 130 may have the same or different dimensions as the intermediate layer of fabric 120. The pocket layer of fabric 130 is firmly and smoothly connected, by the stitching to the intermediate layer 120 on sides and bottom 200(b), as seen in FIG. 6, of fabric thereby forming a pocket 150. The pocket 150 may be lined and may be a stretchable material to accommodate a flat item. The pocket is located on the interior side of the flap, as seen in FIG. 2, may provide a low profile for the wearers neck. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the alternative pocket embodiment with an elastic edge opening/closure on the side, is formed by stitching top, bottom and one side of the pocket layer 130 to the intermediate layer 120. The pocket layer 130 provides support for holding and retaining a flat article. The pocket layer 130 may provide comfort to the wearer.

The pocket 150 includes a pocket opening 160. The pocket opening 160 along the preferred embodiment of the top edge 154 of the pocket layer 130 or along, as an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the side edge 152 of the pocket layer 150. The pocket opening 160 is along all of the top edge 154 of FIGS. 5 and 6, as well as the alternative embodiment of the side edge 152 of FIGS. 7 and 8, so that a flat article can be inserted, retained and easily removed in the pocket 150.

The pocket 150 may include a closure 175, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The pocket closure 175 may be an elastic hemmed edged opening of the pocket. The pocket closure 160 ensures that the wearers' flat article, stays in the pocket until removed while maintaining a smooth silhouette against the users neck depending upon the flat article enclosed by the user. The pocket closure may be along the preferred embodiment top edge 154 of the pocket or a side edge 152 of the pocket as an alternative embodiment. In the preferred embodiment of the pocket closure is an elastic closure 175. The elastic closure may be located along the side edge of the pocket opening. The pocket closure may include as alternative embodiments hook and loop fasteners, button(s) or snap(s).

The pocket layer may include any suitable stretchable material. For example, the pocket layer of fabric may be comprised of spandex/elastane (a polyester-polyurethane copolymer) or any other synthetic stretchable fabric.

The pocket layer 130 may be a different size as the intermediate layer 120 and include a pocket opening 160 along the preferred embodiment top edge 154 of the pocket layer or a side edge 152 of the pocket layer. A portion of the intermediate layer may be adjacent to a wearer's head and neck and the entire pocket layer may be adjacent to a wearer's head and neck. The pocket layer may be the same size as the intermediate layer and include a pocket opening along the top edge of the pocket layer.

The flap declines from designated rear portion of the hatband 60, laying between the ears of the wearer and extending towards the neck as seen in FIG. 1. The flap cover traverses the neck to just behind the ears. The declination follows the natural headline, neck to the collarbone. The decline is sufficient to cover the area between the ears without touching the ears and also cover the neck area of the wearer. The flap cover may not cover the ears of the wearer. It is contemplated that separate ear flap covers may be adapted for use with the present teachings. Thus the present teachings would protect the wearer's neck area while allowing the wearer the option of keeping the ears covered, by other means, or uncovered.

The flap cover 100 is constructed so that it is slightly decline from the edge of the hatband 60 to the lower edge of the flap, seen in FIG. 1. The flap is designed_to fall above the collar bone of the wearer. The length of the flap is intended to extend only to or just above wearer's collar bone. The length of the flap should not extend beyond the wearer's collarbone. The declining construction of the flap cover allows the wearer to more easily fold the flap into the hat 50, as seen in 105 FIG. 9, if desired by wearer, with complete concealment seen in FIG. 10.

The flap cover 100 is devised for concealing into the underside of the hat 50, as seen in FIG. 10. During concealment, a layer of the flap 70 FIG. 9 may be adjacent to the top of the head of the wearer. During concealment, a layer of the flap may be adjacent to both the back and top of the head 70 of the wearer as best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The flap is fully concealed FIG. 10 when folded into the hat 70. It is contemplated that there may be no temperature packet or any flat article in the flap pocket when the flap is folded into the hat.

The hat 50 may be any type of hat which includes a hatband 60, to which the flap cover may be adapted for attachment. The present teachings may include hatbands 60 in which a portion of the hatband is adjustable. For example, the hatband may include an aperture in the hatband with a thin-style hook and loop adjustment portion to which the flap cover can be adapted for fastening, either permanent or removable. However, a hatband with an adjustment portion including a plastic strap with a series of nubs and corresponding plastic strap with a series of holes may not be suitable with the present teachings.

The flap cover 100 is affixed to a rear portion of the hatband 60. The flap cover 100 may be affixed to an interior side of the rear portion of the hatband of the hat 50, the exterior side of the rear portion of the hatband of the hat, or between two layers of fabric or materials of the rear portion of the hatband of the hat.

The flap cover 100 may be permanently affixed to the rear portion of the hatband 60 of the hat. The permanent affixation of the flap to the hat may occur preferably during hat manufacture. by attaching prefabricated flap cover to appropriate rear location of the hat's shell, prior to attachment of the headband, thereby securing it to the hat and ensuring it's quality of material, manufacture and color match. The flap cover may be permanently connected to the hat in any manner that permanently affixes the flap cover to the hat and headband. The flap may be permanently affixed by sewing, gluing or use of thin plastic staples to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat.

The flap cover 100 may be contrived for removal fastening to the hat 50/band 60. For example, the flap cover may be removable by affixing thin-style hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, or reusable, detachable adhesive. The removable nature of the flap cover allows it to be adaptive to headwear that is not suitable for concealment of the flap cover, such as golf-type hats or visor and to be utilized with headwear that includes an adjustment, high arch or “ponytail” hole in the back of some types of hats. The flap cover may be attached to the hat in any manner which enhances the comfort of the wearer and the desired function of the flap cover.

The flap cover can be made from a variety of fabrics and material. The flap cover can include a combination of fabrics and materials. The support layer 110, intermediate layer 120 and pocket layer 130 may be comprised of the same or different types of fabric. In some embodiments, the support layer and the intermediate layer are comprised of different types of fabric. In some embodiments, the pocket layer is comprised of the same type or different types of fabric as the intermediate layer.

The support layer 110 of fabric may be constructed from any type of fabric which provides support. The intermediate layer 120 may be constructed of any type of fabric which provides comfort and/or support for the pocket layer 130. The pocket layer may be comprised of any type of fabric which can provides comfort to and/or support for the user's desired flat article.

At least one layer of fabric may include a reflective material. At least one layer of fabric may include synthetic material. At least one layer of fabric may include an elastane material. At least one layer of fabric may include a moisture repelling material. At least one layer of fabric may include a moisture wicking material. At least one layer of fabric may include an insulating material. For example, the neck flap 100 can be configured for colder weather at the time of manufacture by lining it with a thin insulating material or by creating an insulating sleeve for a warm packet.

At least one layer of fabric may include an augmented material for self-protection purposes. The augmented material for self-protection purposes may include para-aramid material. The augmented material may include fire-resistant material. The augmented material may include an insect repelling material.

All parts of the flap cover 100 can be fabricated in different sizes. The flap cover size depends upon and can vary with the hat size which can include adult, youth or child—male and female versions. The color or colors of the fabric and materials may vary according to maker.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of or even consists of the elements, ingredients, components or steps.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventor did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article comprising: a neck flap cover to be appended at the rear of the headband of a hat to provide wearer protection from environmental factors and other external agents and offers a pocket adjacent to the wearers' neck with option of insertion of a personal flat item, such as a warm or cool pack or digital device and including: a) one or more layers of fabric conjoined and then integrated with a third layer of fabric to construct a pocket designed for retaining a flat article; and b) wherein the flap cover is appended or adaptable for being appended to a hat having a headband and declines from a rear portion of the headband, traversing the area between the ears of a wearer, descends the neck longitudinally and designed to extend only to above the collar bone of the wearer;
 2. The article of claim 1 includes a support layer of fabric completely connected to an exterior side of an intermediate layer of fabric; the interior side of the intermediate layer is then connected to the third layer of fabric by conjoining on only three sides of interior side of the intermediate layer of fabric thereby integrating a pocket adjacent to the neck and portion of the head of the wearer designed for retaining a flat item of the wearers' choice.
 3. The article of claim 2, wherein an exterior, visible side of the support layer of fabric includes an area for embellishment.
 4. The article of claim 1, wherein the flap cover is contrived for concealing into an underside of the hat crown and during concealment a layer of the flap cover is adjacent to the head of the wearer.
 5. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one layer of fabric could possibly include insulating material, moisture repelling material, U.V. resistant, augmented material for self-protection purposes, such as munitions resistant, fire proofed or an insect repelling material.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one layer of fabric could possibly be of softer material for wearers' comfort. A) At least one layer of fabric could possibly be a moisture wicking material. B) At least one layer of fabric could possibly be stretchable for personal item accommodation.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein the pocket opening is along a top edge of the pocket layer or alternatively a side edge of the flap cover.
 8. The article of claim 7, wherein the pocket includes an elastic hemmed edge for closure and retention of a flat item.
 9. The article of claim 8, wherein the pocket closure could possibly be a thin-style hook and loop fastener, zipper, button(s) or snap(s).
 10. The article of claim 2, wherein the flat item could possibly be a warm/cool pack or digital device.
 11. The article of claim 3, wherein an exterior side of the support layer of fabric includes an area for embellishment and can consist of a polyester blend fabric for structural support.
 12. The article of claim 1, wherein the hat is a baseball-type hat.
 13. The article of claim 12, wherein the hat could be a crownless, brimmed visor type head covering with au adjustable fitting headband and variations thereof.
 14. The article of claim 4, wherein the flap cover is permanently fastened to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat by sewing, unobtrusive small plastic staples or gluing the flap to the rear portion of the hatband of the hat.
 15. The article of claim 12, wherein the flap cover can be adapted to be fastened to the rear portion of the headband of the hat to allow removal and reattachment by means of optional thin-style hook and loop fastener, zipper, buttons, snaps or combinations thereof. 